Helen Skelton will be returning to viewers’ screens with a new TV show amid growing rumours of a romance with Gethin Jones.
The presenter, 41, will front the second series of BBC One daytime show, Lost and Found in the Lakes, which is about the star and a team of experts reuniting people with their treasured possessions in the Lake District.
Filming will begin at the end of this month for the series, which will air next year.
Throughout the show, Skelton will work with a team of divers, detectorists and magnet fishers, to track down lost items scattered around the lakebeds and forests of the Lake District.
They will then use a social media detective to work out who owns the items and create online campaigns to reunite owners with their lost possessions.
The first series, which debuted in January, was BBC One’s highest rating unscripted show in its slot in the past year.
Skelton said in a statement: “I am thrilled to be returning to my home in the Lake District for a second series of Lost and Found in the Lakes. I had a fantastic experience returning lost treasures to their owners and I cannot wait to get back to it!”
Her exciting career announcement comes amid swirling rumours of a relationship with her Morning Live co-host Jones, 47, with eagle-eyed fans spotting their flirty comments to each other on Instagram in recent weeks.
They set tongues wagging when they left the TV Bafta Awards together, with sources claiming their friendship has turned into a “deeper connection”.
However, the presenters have been exchanging playful comments back and forth weeks before the reports emerged.
Last week, Skelton shared a series of photos with Jones from the awards ceremony, to which the Welsh presenter commented cheekily, “Why do you keep chopping my head off,” referring to her cropping skills.
Jones also shared a tribute to “superhuman” Skelton in March after they took part in a 24-hour live TV challenge for Comic Relief.
Alongside photos of the pair during the challenge, he wrote: “And a little appreciation post for this superwoman @helenskelton. Unbelievable physical and mental resilience... Loves a laugh but a deep thinker (I had to remind her a few times we were live on TV).
“It says a lot that you can spend 24 hours non-stop with someone and still call them an hour later for a debrief.
“Respect means we can be honest with each other always. There was NO time at all, at any time during this challenge, not one, where I wanted to throw her off the rink. Never once. Didn’t even come into mind.”
Skelton repaid the favour, gushing: “My dear @gethincjones... You are some man.
“I don't publicly say often enough how much love and respect I have for you my friend because I assume it is well known, but for the record you're a legend and I am beyond grateful to have you by my side on the rink, the sofa and beyond.”
Jones also shared his appreciation for his co-star by commenting three love heart emojis on a behind-the-scenes reel that a makeup artist shared of the duo’s charity challenge.
Both stars, who have previously appeared as contestants on Strictly Come Dancing and both hosted Blue Peter, are believed to be single.
Jones has been open about dating again after his engagement to Katherine Jenkins, while Skelton separated from her ex-husband Richie Myler in 2022. The Standard has previously contacted their reps for comment.
